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Overview

Our research involves the use of synthetic organic chemistry to shed light on questions
in biology and medicine. In each research area the goal is to understand or manipulate
a biological system, but the tools that we use are small to medium sized organic molecules
designed for that purpose. We perform the syntheses of the needed molecular tools
in our lab and often the preliminary biological experiments, although we also collaborate
with people around the world who are experts in the biological systems.

Some projects of current interest in the group are listed below. Please click on a
title for a more complete description.

We have been working to develop a new strategy for inhibiting tumor metastasis. The
concept is to use a glycoengineering approach to coat tumor cells selectively in vivo with fluorinated carbohydrates thereby diminishing their adhesion to extracellular
proteins required for metastasis. Furthermore, since fluorine is scarce in soft tissues,
this method may afford a means to visualize tumor cells via 19F MRI.

IGs have been suggested as possible second messengers of insulin action. We are interested
in understanding how they work, determining which structures are most active, and
evaluating the prospects for using IGs or their analogues for treatment of type II
diabetes.

We are developing new polymer cross-linking agents that are electrochemically degradable.
Polymers cross-linked by these compounds should be degradable upon electrical stimulation
and thereby have broad applicability in a number of fields including drug delivery,
microfluidics, and surgical materials.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic natural products found in a wide variety of plants prevalent
in the human diet ranging from fruits and berries to cocoa and tea. These compounds
are believed to be healthful, in part because they have been reported to selectively
kill cancer cells. This project is aimed at discerning the chemical and biological
mechanisms behind the bioactivities of the flavonoids.